House Speaker Mike Johnson told Newsmax on Tuesday that Democrat leaders are misleading and flat-out lying to the American people by making Affordable Care Act subsidies a sticking point in the ongoing fight to avert a government shutdown.
Appearing on Newsmax's "Wake Up America," the Louisiana Republican said Democrats are using a false talking point to shift blame for a potential lapse in funding, while President Donald Trump and Republicans are negotiating in good faith.
Johnson was reacting to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's assertion on Monday that the "real effects" of Obamacare subsidies would hit Americans on Oct. 1, not when they expire on Dec. 31. Further, Schumer said Trump "was not aware" of that impending pitfall.
"Nonsense. I know it's shocking, but Chuck Schumer doesn't always tell the truth," Johnson said about Monday's meeting at the White House with Trump and congressional leaders. "We had a thoughtful discussion in the Oval Office. Credit to President Trump showing strong leadership. He's operating 100% in good faith.
"And he heard the arguments and he just looked at Schumer and [House Minority Leader] Hakeem [Jeffries] and he said, 'Why are you even bringing this up right now?'"
Johnson noted that the ACA subsidies in question do not expire until Dec. 31, arguing there is ample time to address the issue later this year.
"They're trying to make this Obamacare subsidy issue the issue of today — it's not," he said. "That doesn't even expire until Dec. 31. That's an eternity in politics for us to roll up our sleeves and argue and debate. But they're looking in the cameras and lying about it."
The speaker also criticized Schumer's counterproposal to the short-term continuing resolution, claiming it is "loaded up" with partisan add-ons. Johnson said it would add $1.7 trillion in new spending to the seven-week stopgap.
"Go look at the counter-proposal that Chuck Schumer put on the table for the CR. It's loaded up with all these partisan crazy wish lists. We're not doing that," Johnson said. "He's trying to give himself cover at any price. And it's really sad."
Johnson backed up Senate Majority Leader John Thune's criticism of the Obamacare subsidies, calling them a "boondoggle" that enriches insurance companies and even benefits wealthy Americans.
"Somebody can make $550,000 a year and taxpayers are funding their healthcare. I mean, it's wrong," Johnson said. "We need a month or two to hash all that out. It's not supposed to happen today. And for [Democrats] to cling to that and make it the talking point is just disingenuous.
"They know that. And it's really and that's what's so frustrating about it."
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